Wow, we don't quite feel our feet have hit the ground all week.  We've had a busy and lively New Year this year.  We started off with an evening with Zach, Martine nd Matthew round here on the 30th and also a surprise call from Lynn. Abbie and Emily in Falkirk which was a real treat.

 

On NYE, we followed the heat to Geelong which is around an hour and a half from here.  Everywhere around Melbourne was scorching on hogmanay but Geelong temps hit 43 degrees OOOMMMGGGGG how hot???????????  We were in Geelong to go to their new Water Adventure Park so thankfully the water kept us mainly cool.  After a lot of splashing we had a ride on the aqua bikes on the lake but the midday sun was proving too much and we only lasted there about 10-15 minutes.  Coming home around 2.30 it was a long hot drive but thankfully the girls fell asleep in the car.

 

In the evening we took the train into the city with Zach, Martine and Matthew and sat by the river Yarra to watch the family fireworks at 9.15.  Both the girls have been a bit scared of the noise of fireworks in the past but this time it wsn't so bad.  Becca just loved it and although Ellie was covering her ears, she really did enjoy watching.  The fireworks were fab, and what a backdrop with all the skyscrapers in the background.  It was still hot mind you - apparently at 5am on New Years Day it was still 32 degrees!!

 

After such a hot day, we were sooo glad to get on the airconditioned train on the way home I can tell you hehe.  We'd said we would pop in quickly to see Sandra and Jim on the way home and arrived there around 10.30.  We expected Rhianna to be in bed but guess what - she was in the pool and so were Ellie and Becca within about 2 minutes lol.  Fiona and Neil and their kids James and Evie were here too and Helen V and Andy arrived just after us so it was rather busy but very chilled (well, not the weather but the company lol).  Anywway, we were epxtecting a call from Mike's folks at midnight so we reluctantly came away at 11.45 much to the kids' disgust.  It was soo late that we really needed to get them home anyway but oh I could have just sat there all night.

 

Mike and Ellie spoke to his folks and then we called my parents before I finally said Happy New Year and shared a glass of champagne with Mike at 12.45 !!!!!

 

Next morning it was still hot hot hot so we took our time getting ready.  We then had a nice lunch with Zach and Martine at the Sugargum pub up the road.  After that we all piled home and into the shower before going to Helen and Jonathan's for the evening.  We had such a laugh, the usual suspects were all there and the kids all get on really well so it makes for a relaxed time for all the parents.  Also, Helen and Jonathan have air con so it was blissfully cool.  Sayng that, the temps had dropped significantly by the evening of the 1st so it wasn't quite so stifling outside either.

 

We were bringing Helen and Jonathan's little girl Ellie home for a sleepover that night as I was babysitting the following day so for once, we had no trouble getting the kids home lol.  And thankfully because it was late, they were all asleep within minutes of getting them settled.

 

Last night, I bit the bullet and took down the Xmas decorations.  Once again, the house looks so bare but at least the clutter of Christmas is gone and I can properly dust the place.  Wasn't sure what we'd find under the tree beastie wise but ther was only one dead spider so that's not too bad lol.

 

We've still got Ellie here today and the girls are loving having her around.  I think we are going to Scienceworks museum in a while as it's fairly hot again and I got a bit burned sitting having a coffee with Helen V when we popped over to see her yesterday. 

 

So that's New Year.  We had a busy few days and we're all shattered but hopefully we can get the kids back into normal routines a bit more now.  Well, at least until Saturday when we're going to the beach with Helen and Helen and families and then round to Fiona and Neil's for a BBQ in the evening lol.

 

I hope you all had a good new year, and Kenny, I hope you're newly broken toe gets better soon.